cram

/kræm/ (bre, ipa) · [krˈæm] /kræm/ (ame, ipa) · [krˈæm] /ˈkram/ (ame, mw)

cram — verb

  • crampresent simple I / you / we / they
  • cramshe / she / it
  • crammedpast simple
  • cramming-ing form

1. to force more people or objects into a place than it can comfortably hold.

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to force more people or objects into a place than it can comfortably hold.

例句

Andrew crammed three folding chairs into the tiny storage closet.

cram + object + into + place

By sunset, tourists were cramming into the last tram from the harbor.

intransitive: cram into + place

同義詞
  • stuff

    very close in meaning, but often sounds slightly more casual

  • jam

    emphasises strong pressure or a blocked space

  • pack

    broader and can sound more orderly than cram

反義詞
  • unpack

    to take things out instead of forcing more in

  • empty

    to remove what fills the space

文法句型

cram + object + into + place

cram into + place

cram around + object

用法筆記

Often followed by into, under, or around plus the crowded place or object. It suggests pressure and lack of space, not careful arrangement.

常見錯誤

❌We crammed into the suitcase too many clothes.
✅We crammed too many clothes into the suitcase.
💡Put the things being forced in before the container.

2. to learn a large amount very quickly, especially just before a test, or to make

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to learn a large amount very quickly, especially just before a test, or to make someone do this.

例句

Jiwoo crammed for the biology exam on the train home.

cram for + exam/test

The tutor crammed four students on grammar points before the retest.

cram + person + on + topic

同義詞
  • study

    more neutral and does not suggest panic or lack of time

  • revise

    often means going over material already learned

  • memorise

    focuses on storing facts, not the rushed timing

反義詞

文法句型

cram for + exam/test

cram + subject/material before + exam

cram + person + on + topic

用法筆記

Usually followed by for plus the exam, or by a direct object naming the material. With a person as object, it means making that person study quickly before a test.

常見錯誤

❌I crammed the exam all night.
✅I crammed for the exam all night.
💡Use for before the test itself.

3. to fit too many activities into a short time so the schedule feels crowded.

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

to fit too many activities into a short time so the schedule feels crowded.

例句

Nora crammed two dentist visits and a bank errand into Tuesday.

cram + activities + into + time

The wedding planner kept cramming extra photo stops into the afternoon schedule.

同義詞
  • squeeze in

    very close, with an even stronger sense of barely finding time

  • pack in

    similar, but often sounds slightly less rushed

  • overload

    focuses on causing too much work rather than fitting it into time

反義詞
  • space out

    to spread activities over a longer period

  • spread out

    to arrange things with more time between them

文法句型

cram + activities + into + time period

cram + visit/task + into + day

用法筆記

The object is usually a task, visit, or appointment, and the time expression follows into. Distinguish from sense 1, which is about physical space rather than schedules.

常見錯誤

❌She crammed Friday with three meetings.
✅She crammed three meetings into Friday.
💡Put the activities before into and the time period after it.

cram — noun